USC Thornton School of Music : News: Thornton in the News

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Thornton in the News

July 2008
Midori Goto profiled in Strings Magazine: Midori Goto was recently featured in Strings Magazine. In her three years at the Thornton School, Goto has reshaped collegiate string education, the story stated. "She's a force of nature," said Margaret Batjer of the Thornton School. "It's amazing to me that she has this whole other life beyond what she does at USC, because her commitment here seems to be full-time to us," Batjer added. In addition to chairing the strings department at USC, Goto performs and runs community engagement events worldwide, the story reported. "Teaching ties all the elements of my life together," Goto said. With her USC students, Goto reaches out to the community around campus, visiting shelters for battered women and abused children and other venues, Batjer said. "For successful community engagement, strong partnerships between musicians and non-musicians must be established at the local, national, and international levels," Goto said. "I feel so fortunate to have my students in my life."
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July 10, 2008
Jerry Del Colliano quoted in The Patriot News: Jerry Del Colliano of the USC Thornton School was recently quoted about discounting of concert ticket prices. "This is as big an amber light as you're ever going to see flashing," Del Colliano said. Consumers might start looking at concert tickets as expendable, he added. "This is the kind of money that has to be above and beyond your money from subsistence. I think you've got a barometer for what we're going to see nationwide."
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July 9, 2008
Thornton alum Alfred Weisberg-Roberts profiled in LA Weekly: Weisberg-Roberts, who now goes by the stage name Daedelus, recently released at new album on Ninja Tune titled "Love to Make Music To," the article stated. Daedelus, who attended USC Thornton School of Music, said of his new album, "in some ways on past records, where I kind of oscillated between different tempos and different moods, this one kind of kept me grounded upbeat, ’cause I was throwing a lot of energy in a different direction on a different record."
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July 9, 2008
Norman Krieger performance highlighted in Pasadena Star-News: During the opening of the California Philharmonic Orchestra's new season, Krieger performed George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," which was the highlight of the evening, the story stated. Some admirers came chiefly to hear this favorite, the article reported. Known as the world's greatest interpreter, Krieger gave a powerful and colorful rendition, the story noted.
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July 8, 2008
Grammy Camp at USC Thornton highlighted in The Intelligencer: A story highlighted the USC Thornton School's Grammy Camp. Starting this weekend, the two-week camp will offer 63 young musicians the chance to hone their skills and learn from Grammy Award-winning artists. The camp will start with the Grammy Foundation's annual gala, called Starry Night and featuring Beatles producer Sir George Martin, the story noted. "I'm really excited about that," said Faith Hahn, a singer/songwriter who will attend the Grammy Camp.
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July 7, 2008
Marek Zebrowski featrued in San Luis Obispo Tribune: A story in the San Luis Obispo Tribune highlighted Marek Zebrowski of the USC Thornton School, who is curator of USC's Polish Music Center. Zebrowski recently traveled to Poland in his capacity as artistic director of the Paso Robles Paderewski Festival, to be held this year on November 15. Zebrowski led a group of festival leaders on a local tour, the story noted.
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July 2008
Composer Bear McCreary profiled in American Federation of Musicians' Magazine: The July 2008 cover of American Federation of Musicians' Magazine featured Thornton alum and composer Bear McCreary. McCreary, who currently composes for the hit television show "Battlestar Galactica," has also composed for other television and movie soundtracks. The article stated that McCreary began his composing career as a student at USC Thornton, studying under Elmer Bernstein. “I first met him in high school, and he took me on as a protégé,” McCreary stated. “His music would have been an influence on me even if I'd never met him. However, he was really there for me, both musically and personally, and had a tremendous impact on my life.”
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July 2, 2008
Thornton faculty member Bruce Forman highlighted in San Francisco Bay Guardian: Bruce Forman of the USC Thornton School will be a headliner at the Fillmore Jazz Festival, a story reported. In 2001, the longtime guitarist launched the JazzMasters Workshop, a nonprofit focused on giving free jazz lessons to children, the story reported. Forman recently toured Route 66 with his band, with the proceeds going toward the JazzMasters Workshop. The festival will take place July 5-6 in San Francisco.
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July 1, 2008
Midori Goto featured in News-Record: A story highlighted Midori Goto, USC Thornton strings department chair, who is performing July 5 at the Eastern Music Festival. Goto is a violinist who gave her first public performance at age 7 and played with the New York Philharmonic when she was 11, the article noted. She teaches at USC, leads master classes for young violinists around the world, and runs several music education projects for children and communities in the States and abroad, the story stated. The United Nations named Goto a Messenger of Peace, the article reported.
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June 30, 2008
Former USC Thornton faculty member and jazz bassist Dave Carpenter passes away: Dave Carpenter, a jazz bassist who appeared on more than 200 recordings and was a founding member of the Lounge Art Ensemble, died June 23 of a heart attack in his home in Burbank. In addition to being on the Thornton faculty for some time, Carpenter had recently released an album, "Standards," with Thornton professors Alan Pasqua and Peter Erskine. In an article in the LA Times about Carpenter, Erskine stated, "Dave Carpenter made any piece of music sound and feel better by his incredible musicianship, uncompromising beat and unerring ability to choose the right note at the right time. His musical presence will be sorely missed by all who knew and heard him."
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June 25, 2008
New Thornton faculty member Tim Page featured in Editor & Publisher article: The article stated that Pulitzer-winning classical music critic Tim Page has decided to accept a buyout from the Washington Post and will leave to teach at USC. Having recently completed a semester teaching at the Annenberg School, Page will join USC full time, teaching at both the Annenberg School and the Thornton School of Music. "I just love teaching," Page declared. "That's what appealed to me as a music critic — I was teaching there, also."
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June 25, 2008
Norman Krieger to perform with California Philharmonic: USC Thornton professor Norman Krieger will perform with the California Philharmonic on June 29 at Disney Hall the Los Angeles Downtown News reported. Krieger will perform Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
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June 13, 2008
Thornton alumnus Sam Spence highlighted in Press-Telegram: Thornton alum and composer Sam Spence conducted a four-movement suite from his National Football League music called "Sabers and Six-guns" at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro for the "Pops for Pop" concert June 13, 2008. He also conducted the world premiere of a fight song for his alma mater, USC, that is based on his football music, and which he has donated to the school. Spence has been composing music for NFL Films since 1966 and has also written music for "The Simpsons," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "The King of Queens." Steven Allen Fox, artistic director of the Golden State Pops Orchestra said of Spence, "When he gets up on the podium, he is very intellectual and sophisticated, full of fire and humor."
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May 30, 2008
Thornton alumnus Bear McCreary featured in Variety: Thornton alum and composer Bear McCreary was recently featured in Variety for his work on the hit Sci-Fi Channel show, Battlestar Galactica. For four seasons and over 70 episodes, McCreary has been composing for the show, offering some of the most innovative music on television. "Musically, 'Galactica' pushes me," McCreary stated. "I am constantly being asked to develop and change. That is against the instincts of a lot of television music, which is to set up a sound and stick with it. I'm being asked to take risks and make daring musical decisions that, on another show, would get you fired."
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May 10, 2008
USC Thornton student and pianist Kristina Jacinth profiled in Pasadena Star-News: As the winner of the Pasadena Community Orchestra's Young Artist Competition, USC Thornton student Kristina Jacinth performed with orchestra on May 16, 2008, the Pasadena Star-News reported. Jacinth, who recently completed her junior year at USC, won with the piece Concerto No. 3, by Sergei Prokofiev. "I absolutely love the piece, it's so interesting to me, it's like movie music," Jacinth said. "Every time I play it I feel like I'm pulling out a lot of different characters in a movie and I think that's what I do best, character music, and hopefully that will come across in my performances."
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May 3, 2008
Jon Burlingame quoted in Arizona Republic: Faculty member Jon Burlingame was recently quoted in the Arizona Republic in a story about film music. The article focused on how music in film is used to convey emotion and create a mood. "The music's most important job is to evoke an emotional response, whether it is joy, romance, terror or adventure," said Burlingame. "That has not really changed over a hundred years."
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May 2008
Violinist and USC Thornton student Antonio Pontarelli profiled in Teen Strings: Violinist Antonio Pontarelli recently recorded on System of a Down front man's album, Elect the Dead. Pontarelli can be heard on five songs on the album, the article reported. "It was fantastic," Pontarelli said. "It was great to be able to work with a person who has so much success, but is so down to earth. Working with him in the studio was such an inspirational experience."
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April 16, 2008
Martin Chalifour highlighted in The Mercury News: Martin Chalifour joined the El Camino Youth Symphony as guest artist for its annual benefit concert on April 19, 2008, reported the The Mercury News. "We believe it is absolutely necessary for these young musicians to have the experience of performing with a high-level, professional artist at least once a year," El Camino Youth Symphony executive director Cathy Spieth said. In addition to playing in the symphony’s all-Tchaikovsky program, Chalifour also led a master class for four CYS violinists on April 18, 2008.
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April 15, 2008
Thornton graduate Michelle Kim featured in The Korea Times: Thornton graduate Michelle Kim was invited to deliver a keynote address to Korean-Americans at the Korea Society’s annual dinner on April 15, 2008 in Manhattan. In addition, she performed for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak during his coinciding visit to New York. Kim, who serves as assistant concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, traveled to South Korea in February to give a historic concert. “After the performance in Pyongyang, I was greatly encouraged by many Koreans and Korean-Americans,” Kim was quoted by a presidential aide.
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April 14, 2008
Midori profiled online at Bloomberg.com: Midori was profiled online at Bloomberg.com on April 14, 2008. In the article, she talked about her rigorous concert schedule, career and philanthropic work to spread music education and advocacy, particularly with Midori & Friends, Music Sharing (in Japan) and the United Nations as an Ambassador of Peace. “I'm very grateful that I'm able to pursue a life that is interesting,” she said.
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April 9, 2008
Film Music Society highlights Jon Burlingame interview with composer Michael Giacchino: Jon Burlingame talked with composer Michael Giacchino (composer of Ratatouille and Lost) March 20 at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art's Leo S. Bing Theater as part of the Zócalo Public Square Lecture Series. The interview is available via podcast at www.zocalola.org.
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April 5, 2008
Thornton musicians' and Peter Marsh's participation in concert hosted by Shumei Arts Council featured in Pasadena Star-News: Faculty member Peter Marsh recently served as a consultant for the Shumei Arts Council’s second annual Clyde Montgomery concert on April 13, 2008, the Pasadena Star-News reported. Among the performers were Midnight Winds, an ensemble of Thornton students and graduates; Pasha Tseitlin, junior in violin; and Trio XYZ, which features three Thornton students. Marsh said of the event, “This will be a very high-level performance.”
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April 1, 2008
USC Thornton Wind Ensemble Concert at Disney Hall reviewed in the Los Angeles Times: The USC Thornton Wind Ensemble's March 30, 2008 performance at Walt Disney Hall as part of Los Angeles Philharmonic's Sounds About Town Series was recently reviewed in the Los Angeles Times. The article stated that the Wind Ensemble performed John Corigliano's piece, Circus Maximus, with more than 80 brass, woodwind and percussion players. The article said, "An unforgettable piece, Circus Maximus got an exuberant performance Sunday from a first-rate ensemble led by H. Robert Reynolds."
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March 2008
USC Thornton AV facilities featured in AVTechnology magazine: USC Thornton's Audio/Visual facilities were profiled in an article in the inaugural issue of AVTechnology magazine. In the piece, Thornton multimedia services manager Roldan Flores was interviewed about the facilities and how they are managed.
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March 30, 2008
Thornton graduate Eric Hankey profiled in The Daily Breeze: Thornton graduate Eric Hankey’s work with the Westchester High School band was profiled in The Daily Breeze. Hankey revived the music program after a year-and-a-half absence, now teaching three beginning band classes. He previously ran the music program at Westchester from 1996-2000 while completing graduate studies at USC before moving to Lake Placid High School in New York. "Students everywhere are the same," Hankey said. "Kids always want to be in a music program and have this experience. When everything's in place, the kids will come." Eventually, Hankey wants to incorporate student rock bands as part of his curriculum, a successful project he implemented at Lake Placid.
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March 29, 2008
USC Thornton Wind Ensemble Concert at Disney Hall previewed in the Los Angeles Times: The USC Thornton Wind Ensemble's concert at Walt Disney Hall on March 30, 2008 was featured in the Los Angeles Times. The article highlighted the fact that the ensemble would be playing John Corigliano's Circus Maximus under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds, in a big band style. "Most composers I know, you mention bands and their eyes light up," says Corigliano. "Bands have got fabulous instruments that aren't in orchestras, and actually you don't miss the fact that the strings aren't there because there's so many other timbral resources," Corigliano stated.
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March 22, 2008
Classical guitarists from Thornton will be artists-in-residence at Brownsville Guitar Festival, reports Brownsville Herald: The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, which includes several classical guitarists from the USC Thornton School, will be artists-in-residence at the Brownsville Guitar Ensemble Festival, a story in the Brownsville Herald reported. Thornton School alumnus Matthew Greif is the newest member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ), regarded as the best such ensemble in the world, the article stated. Greif studied under Bill Kanengiser and Scott Tennant of the Thornton School, who are also LAGQ members performing and teaching at the festival.
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March 16, 2008
Midori Goto featured in the The Plain Dealer: A story in The Plain Dealer featured Midori Goto in conjunction with her upcoming performance with the Cleveland Orchestra. Goto, a violin legend who began astonishing audiences at age eight, is Jascha Heifetz Chair and chair of the string department at USC, the article stated. “Teaching is my passion, and I can’t imagine my life without my students at USC,” Goto said. “Teaching is the element that somehow ties everything in my life together. Whether a project started before I started formally teaching or not, so much of what I learn from working with my students fuels the energy to keep working further.” The story highlighted Goto’s projects that promote classical music, including the youth programs Midori & Friends and Music Sharing.
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March 10, 2008
Norman Krieger featured in the Press-Enterprise: A review in the Press-Enterprise highlighted Norman Krieger, highlighted Norman Krieger who performed Saturday with the San Bernardino Symphony as a featured piano soloist. “Krieger brought together athletic power and great musical sensitivity in a riveting reading of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2,” the story stated. Krieger’s dazzling tour de force garnered him a standing ovation, the review stated.
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March 5, 2008
Norman Krieger highlighted in the Press-Enterprise: A story in the Press-Enterprise highlighted Norman Krieger, who will perform Saturday with the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra as a featured piano soloist. Krieger will play Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, which is viewed as one of the most demanding piano works, the story noted. "Once you overcome the challenges, the depth of the score is extraordinary,” Krieger said. “This is the kind of music we expect to hear if we make it to heaven. It's simply not earthbound. It's a very spiritual work, with a glimpse of the divine and all the goodness humans are capable of.”
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February 21, 2008
Jon Burlingame interviewed on New York City station's WNYC-FM's "Soundcheck": Jon Burlingame was interviewed on New York City station WNYC-FM’s “Soundcheck” about this year’s Oscar-nominated film scores. There has been controversy regarding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ decision to disqualify the acclaimed score for the film “There Will Be Blood,” the story noted. “[The film’s director] utilized a lot of preexisting music so when they totaled up the amount of original music, which was about 35 minutes, versus the amount of music of what we used to call "needle drops," being 46 minutes, the Academy tossed it out because it wasn't enough original music from start to finish," Burlingame said. "The rule hasn't been sufficiently enforced in previous years, which is why the Academy is being particularly strict this year. The Oscars through the years have been riddled with head-scratchers for choices, so I think they are particularly sensitive now," he explained.
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February 17, 2008
Jon Burlingame quoted in the Washington Post: Jon Burlingame was quoted in the Washington Post about the Academy Award for best original music score. The Academy’s rules prohibit the use of previously recorded music, which disqualifies Jonny Greenwood’s acclaimed score for “There Will Be Blood,” the story reported. The disqualification might be a reaction to last year’s award to the composer behind "Babel," who apparently also used previously recorded sounds, Burlingame suggested. “The 'Babel’ score is littered with non-original music,’ he said. The Greenwood outcry points to how directors routinely use "temp tracks," or temporary scores of recorded music, while they edit, Burlingame noted. Too often, directors "get married to their temps" and opt to use recorded snippets or "needle drops" rather than commission original material, he explained.
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February 14, 2008
Thornton alumna Sara Gazarek profiled in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: In a profile of USC alumna Sara Gazarek in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the jazz vocalist recalled her studies at Thornton. While there, she began to expand her musical boundaries, first listening to instrumental jazz, then focusing on other legendary jazz vocalists, the story reported. After being offered record deals, Gazarek asked for advice from John Clayton, whom she refers to as her “jazz father.” “John told me that before I recorded, I needed to have a distinctive sound,” Gazarek said. “And he told me the best way to do that was to work with my own group.”
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February 14, 2008
Veronika Krausas' "Player Piano Project" reviewed in Los Angeles Times: Krausas' concert of the "Player Piano Project" was recently reviewed in the Los Angeles Times. The review stated: "the humble player piano -- the vehicle for the crazy, inspired musical organisms of the late Conlon Nancarrow -- has long since given way to analog and digital instruments and devices. Yet that didn't stop USC composer Veronika Krausas, who upon receiving a gift of a player piano, strove to reinvigorate the Nancarrow tradition by commissioning a plethora of pieces for
her new toy."
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February 12, 2008
Veronika Krausas' "Player Piano Project" featured in Los Angeles Times: The February 12, 2008 concert, "Player Piano Project," helmed by USC composer Veronika Krausas, was profiled in the Los Angeles Times. Featuring 23 works by composers from five countries, "Player Piano Project" is the brainchild of Krausas, who was inspired after her landlords gave her a player piano a few years ago for Christmas. They had tried to sell it, but nobody wanted to buy. "It was a beautiful instrument, and it seemed a shame to have it as just a piece of furniture," says Krausas. "So I got the idea, why not ask all my friends who are composers to write some music for it? It was a wacky, far-out thing to do."
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Listen to "Blue" from Player Piano Project
January 28, 2008
Midori’s three concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center profiled in Playbill Arts Magazine: In the midst of her 25th anniversary season, violinist Midori Goto comes to Lincoln Center in 2008 with three unusual concerts, all featuring the music of two important composers who flourished in the final decades of the last century, Alfred Schnittke and Toru Takemitsu. Midori describes Schnittke and Takemitsu as "singular 20th-century voices whose music seems complementary, like two facets of the same prism....Both composers were persons of contradictions and their music is very different, but both took Bach as inspiration."
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January 27, 2008
Midori Goto featured in the Des Moines Register: The Des Moines Register recently featured Midori Goto, who will be having a weeklong residency with the Des Moines Symphony and will be giving workshops for young musicians. Goto is chair of the strings department at the Thornton School and founder of Midori & Friends, an organization that brings music to New York public school students. "I try to give my students a balance between their violin studies and an awareness of the incentives in their lives," Goto said. "It is important that my students see the whole picture rather than narrowly focusing on a specialized skill."
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January 25, 2008
Midori Goto performances featured in the Des Moines Register: A story reported that Midori Goto is scheduled to visit Des Moines, Iowa, for performances and a residency program with the Des Moines Symphony, in addition to visits at three high schools. Goto is a highly regarded teacher and chairwoman of the strings department at the Thornton School, the article stated.
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January 18, 2008
Jerry Del Colliano quoted in CNET News: Jerry Del Colliano was quoted about the music industry in CNET News. The business is broken and that’s why bands and artists like Radiohead, Trent Reznor and Madonna as well as consumers are revolting against it, Del Colliano said. Nonetheless, the record labels are needed to help develop talent and help the public discover that talent, he said. “The labels aren’t going anywhere,” he added. “They’re just going to have different duties in the future.”
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January 15, 2008
Jon Burlingame interviewed on NPR about changing film scores in Westerns: Jon Burlingame was interviewed on New York affiliate WNYC-FM’s "Soundcheck" about changing film scores in Westerns. Recent films in the genre have departed from the score styles of older classics, Burlingame said. "Modern audiences are more reluctant to accept the old-fashioned way of scoring films with large symphonic sound," he explained. "I think it is a result of contemporary filmmakers wanting to make a statement that’s different from what they might perceive as old-fashioned, and I think there has been a movement away from that by and large."
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January 15, 2008
Marek Szpakiewicz featured in the The Press-Enterprise: Thornton faculty cellist Marek Szpakiewicz's upcoming performance of Dvorak's Cello Concerto with the San Bernardino Symphony was featured in the Inland Empire's The Press-Enterprise. "Szpakiewicz. . .has been a frequent visitor to the Inland region. He has appeared at least once before with the San Bernardino Symphony and has performed several times at the Redlands Bowl."
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January 12, 2008
Daniel Pollack interviewed on NPR's Weekend Edition: Faculty pianist Daniel Pollack was recently interviewed on NPR's Weekend Edition. The live interview and performance first aired on January 12 in celebration of the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the First International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition that was held in Moscow in 1958, of which Pollack was a prize-winner.
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January 11, 2008
Norman Krieger's recording of Brahms' Piano Concerto reviewed in Audiophile Audition: Norman Krieger's recording of Brahms' Piano Concerto with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra was recently reviewed in the web magazine Audiophile Audition. "There are many great recordings of the work, and you are always surprised to hear a new one that touches the absolute greatest, but this one does. It leaps to the top of the heap, maybe not surpassing the front rank, but certainly holding its own among them. A real shocker, a stunning achievement, and all should be proud. The sound, by the way, is vivid and bold with great presence, especially as it was done live. Krieger’s dexterous mannerisms are captured to the full."
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January 9, 2008
Midori becomes a United Nations Messenger of Peace: Midori Goto was recently profiled in Strings Magazine after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon chose her to be a Messenger of Peace. "In every part of the world, I see music as the starting point for a dialogue, and I intend to use these dialogues to further the U.N.'s agenda, which is completely compatible with my own," Midori said.
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January 2, 2008
LAGQ reviewed in The New York Times: The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's New Year’s Eve concert at the 92nd Street Y was reviewed in The New York Times. "Andrés Segovia once described the guitar as an orchestra seen through a reversed telescope, a metaphor suggesting that his instrument’s comparatively small voice and subtle range of timbres offset the chordal and contrapuntal freedom it offers. In a New Year’s Eve concert at the 92nd Street Y, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet took Segovia’s observation to heart and tested a proposition of its own: that an ensemble of four guitars magnifies both sides of the equation, yielding far greater independence of movement and a louder sound as well."
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December 7, 2007
Midori Goto featured in the Rocky Mountain News: Midori Goto was featured in conjunction with her upcoming performance with the Colorado Symphony in the Rocky Mountain News. "I've always felt that music finds its natural place within people and should not be restricted to a specific physical place," she said. "It is vital that today's musicians become proactive in advocating for music and the arts."
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November 25, 2007
Ron McCurdy performs at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina: Ron McCurdy, chair of the jazz studies program, and his quartet performed for the second time this year at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina. In April, the quartet performed "The Langston Hughes Project," which included a melodic recitation and video and was "stunning and invigorating for the audience."
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November 20, 2007
Film composer James Newton Howard's collection comes to USC: Film composer and USC Thornton School of Music alum James Newton Howard (DMA piano performance ’69) has donated his collection of scores and sketches to the school. The collection, appraised at more than $2 million, is to be housed in USC Libraries’ Special Collections. During the past two decades, Howard’s compositions have been used in more than 100 motion pictures and numerous TV programs. His collection will be a valuable resource for students of film scoring at USC Thornton.
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November 15, 2007
Morten Lauridsen's National Medal of Arts Award mentioned in Playbill Arts: Morten Lauridsen, professor of composition at the USC Thornton School of Music for more than 30 years and a three-time alumnus (BM '66, MA '68, DMA '74) has been awarded the National Medal of Arts. "Born in 1943 and for 35 years a composition professor at the University of Southern California, Lauridsen is one of the most widely-performed living composers in the U.S. His much-admired choral music is immensely popular with choirs (professional and amateur) all over this country and abroad; his works have appeared on more than 100 CDs, three of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards."
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November 14, 2007
Morten Lauridsen receives the 2007 National Medal of Arts: Morten Lauridsen, professor of composition at the USC Thornton School of Music for more than 30 years and a three-time alumnus (BM '66, MA '68, DMA '74) has been awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government. Lauridsen's lifetime achievement award recognizes his preeminent place in the choral music of the 20th century. The medal was presented by President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush in a special ceremony at the White House.
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November 6, 2007
Ralph Kirshbaum appointed the Piatigorsky Endowed Chair in Violoncello: Cellist Ralph Kirshbaum, who holds a distinguished position among the world's foremost musicians, has been appointed the fifth holder of the Gregor Piatigorsky Endowed Chair in Violoncello in the strings program of the USC Thornton School of Music. As "one of the outstanding cellists of his generation," according to The New York Times, Texas-born Kirshbaum has excelled in a career which encompasses performances with the world's leading symphony orchestras, solo recital appearances, chamber music collaborations, teaching and numerous recordings.
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November 4, 2007
Pepe Romero interviewed on NPR: Pepe Romero recently visited WGBH Radio Boston for an interview and performance for National Public Radio. "Pepe Romero is a scion of the supreme 'Royal Family' of the Spanish guitar. Yet, as an artist, he is both humble and generous. The opportunity to have a casual visit and share the memories and music that was (and still is) important to his family was an honor. He is, truly, a Gentilhombre, though not the same one for whom Rodrigo wrote and named his famous concerto. (That was Segovia.)"
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October 26, 2007
Norman Krieger’s new Brahms CD reviewed in the Buffalo News: Norman Krieger’s new Brahms CD with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra was recently reviewed in the Buffalo News. "Norman Krieger's new CD, In short, there’s probably very little this pianist can’t do. He has a great technique and a solid stage presence, and a touch of showmanship keeps the music he plays from becoming routine. He takes a full-bodied approach to this marvelous, romantic Brahms concerto
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October 24, 2007
Frank Ticheli mentioned in the The Times-Picayune: Frank Ticheli was highlighted in a story on an upcoming performance by a wind symphony at Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU). "'Ticheli is today considered among the most respected of all contemporary composers,' Hemberger said. A native of LaPlace, Ticheli was guest conductor of SLU's annual high school honor band in 2003. He is now a faculty member at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles."
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October 21, 2007
Norman Krieger's concert reviewed in the Colorado Springs Gazette.: Norman Krieger's performance with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic was recently reviewed in the Colorado Springs Gazette. "It's always a treat to hear an artist the stature of pianist Norman Krieger, who performed Brahms' massive 'Piano Concerto No. 2' with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday night. And Krieger did not disappoint, giving an exceptionally lyrical interpretation of Brahms' granitic concerto that accentuated the piece's emotional depth without slighting its drama."
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October 19, 2007
Norman Krieger interviewed in the Colorado Springs Gazette: Norman Krieger was interviewed in the Colorado Springs Gazette before his concert with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. "The Colorado Springs Philharmonic tackles one of the peaks of the concerto literature this weekend, when pianist Norman Krieger joins the orchestra for Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2. 'You can’t get much better — or more challenging,' said the California-based pianist in a recent phone interview."
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October 10, 2007
USC Thornton violin faculty member Elizabeth Pitcairn featured in Strings Magazine: An article featured Elizabeth Pitcairn and her famous Mendelssohn Stradivari violin, the fiddle that reportedly inspired the film The Red Violin. The instrument was purchased when Pitcairn was a teenager, but its location was kept secret for 13 years, the story stated. During this time, Pitcairn trained with renowned violin instructor Robert Lipsett of the Thornton School, while regularly competing around the country, the story stated. "I wasn’t allowed to bring the Stradivari to the freshman dorm," Pitcairn said. In retrospect, she is glad that her parents kept the violin a secret for so many years, as the instrument "might have eclipsed her own rise to her status as a certified violin virtuoso," the article reported.
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September 28, 2007, 2007
Eudice Shapiro remembered in the Guardian Unlimited: An article remembered late violinist Eudice Shapiro. "A cultural treasure, musical pioneer and a great violinist, Eudice Shapiro’s life was packed full of infectious enthusiasm," the story stated. "She was one of the twentieth century's greatest violinists and was the first woman to head a studio orchestra [RKO] in Los Angeles." In addition, Shapiro taught at USC for more than 50 years, the story noted. "Last year, the prestigious university held a huge concert in her honor, celebrating her half-century with the institution," the story continued. "Right to the end, Eudice had students driving out to her home in the hills for lessons."
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September 25, 2007
A performance of Alan Smith's "Vignettes: Ellis Island" reviewed in The New York Times: A performance of USC Thornton faculty member Alan Smith's song cycle "Vignettes: Ellis Island" was recently reviewed in The New York Times. "But the most adventurous stroke came in the second half, entirely devoted to "Vignettes: Ellis Island," a song cycle in six parts by Alan Louis Smith. A 1999 work of nearly 40 minutes, it was written for and performed here by the mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, joined by the pianist Warren Jones."
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September 24, 2007
Eudice Shapiro Remembered: Eudice Shapiro, a violinist, chamber musician, recording artist and USC faculty member since 1956, died of natural causes Sept. 17 at her home in Studio City. She was 93 and had been teaching at the USC Thornton School as recently as May.
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September 17, 2007
LAGQ reviewed in the Los Angeles Times: The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's performance at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre was reviewed in the Los Angeles Times. "In its nearly three decades together (with a single change in personnel), the group has set an enviable standard for the range of repertoire, the craftsmanship of the playing and the entertainment potential of a four-acoustic-guitar ensemble."
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September 12, 2007
New Simon Ramo Recital Hall Announced: Virginia and Simon Ramo, longtime supporters and benefactors of USC and the Thornton School of Music, will fund the phased conversion of Booth Memorial Hall into a performance venue aimed at adding to the concert experience for Thornton faculty and students. Simon Ramo said he hopes the new hall will add to the performances given there. "We hope the recital hall will permit the performances of faculty and students to be enhanced by its availability and its architecture," he said.
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July 22, 2007
USC Thornton student and alumni composers featured in the Los Angeles Times: A recent article in the Los Angeles Times highlights strategies young composers are turning to in order to be heard. USC Thornton students and alumni Juhi Bansal, Steven Gates, Matt McBane, Andrew Norman and Leanna Primiani were interviewed. "Some are forming ensembles. Others are starting festivals, webcasting or setting up streaming audio sites. And just about everyone has found an alternative way to pay the bills. The only thing that's certain is that waiting for a cloudburst of opportunities is not an option."
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July 17, 2007
USC Thornton Opera's production of Miss Lonelyhearts mentioned in The Chronicle of Higher Education: An article highlighted the work of Kenneth Cazan and the USC Thornton Opera. As resident stage director of the Thornton Opera, Cazan directed two USC casts in a production of the new opera Miss Lonelyhearts this spring. Educational institutions are often better poised than professional companies to take on the risks of a bold new work, Cazan said. USC shared costs and a set for the production with The Julliard School and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, which the opera will travel to next. "The only thing more expensive than opera is war," noted Robert Cutietta, dean of the USC Thornton School.
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June 26, 2007
Joanna Demers quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle: USC Thornton professor Joanna Demers was quoted today in an article about a symphony based on the music of The Grateful Dead. "Adapting popular tunes to a classical format is nothing new, said music historian Joanna Demers of the University of Southern California. The London Symphony Orchestra, for example, has performed Beatles' and Rolling Stones' songs, and Demers noted that Franz Lizst, Frederic Chopin and other prominent composers often took popular tunes of their day and adapted them into their own works."
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June 10, 2007
Morten Lauridsen mentioned in The Seattle Times: An article reported that Morten Lauridsen is one of "two bona fide choral masters" invited to the American Masterpieces Choral Festival. Lauridsen is one of today's finest and most-performed composers, the story stated. "Lauridsen's works are the answer to music lovers who have felt alienated by atonality or impatient with contemporary works that are short on such staples as melody and harmony," the story added. "His music is, in a word, gorgeous, and nearly a million copies of his compositions have been sold to choruses who've performed them in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Westminster Abbey."
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June 4, 2007
Ella Fitzgerald tribute concert to premiere on PBS: "We Love Ella: A Tribute to the First Lady of Song," a concert held at USC's Galen Center in April, will be broadcast on PBS on Wednesday, June 6 at 9 PM as part of its "Great Performances" series. The special features the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra alongside such artists as Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Wynonna Judd and Nancy Wilson.
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May 22, 2007
USC Thornton alum Douglas Lowry to become dean of Eastman School of Music: Douglas Lowry, currently dean of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and holder of two master’s degrees from USC, is leaving to become dean of Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester. Lowry came to CCM in August 2000 from the USC Thornton School, where he was associate dean and head of the conducting department.
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May 11, 2007
Stephen Hartke's new compositions reviewed in The Boston Globe: USC Thornton faculty member Stephen Hartke recently premiered new work in a Boston performance commissioned by the Cantata Singers, an anthem titled "Wisdom Cries Aloud in the Open Air" and a Latin motet form "Precepts," a co-commission with Winsor Music, whose artistic director, Peggy Pearson, is the longtime oboist in the Cantata Singers' orchestra.
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April 30, 2007
Ella Fitzgerald tribute reviewed in both The New York Times and Los Angeles Times: The tribute to Ella Fitzgerald held at the USC Galen Center on Sunday was the subject of a widely carried Associated Press story."We Love Ella: A Tribute to the First Lady of Song," which featured such artists as Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole and Wynonna Judd, coincided with what would have been Fitzgerald's 90th birthday. Reviewers praised the USC Thornton Symphony and Jazz Orchestra, who performed as well. "Always eager to support young talent, Fitzgerald would also likely have been pleased by the work of the USC musicians," the reviewer added. "Any one of the young singers who opened the show easily could have stepped to the front of the stage with the pros. And the Thornton Jazz Band’s version of Dizzy Gillespie's thorny "Things to Come," played with fiery passion and spot-on accuracy, marked it as an ensemble that deserves a much wider hearing."
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April 23, 2007
Miss Lonelyhearts reviewed in the L.A. Times: The USC Thornton Opera program's West Coast premiere of Miss Lonelyhearts was reviewed in the Los Angeles Times. "Take a black comedy and make it darker. That's what composer Lowell Liebermann, librettist J. D. McClatchy and director Ken Cazan did in turning Nathanael West's 1933 novel ... into an opera. In upping the ante, the team pushed a powerful commentary on Depression-era American society and its religious obsessions to grotesque proportions."
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April 2, 2007
The Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz Performance Moves to New Orleans; USC Hosted Institute for Eight Years: The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance will relocate its graduate-level college program from Los Angeles to the campus of Loyola University New Orleans in May. The move re-emphasizes the close connection between the city of New Orleans and music and jazz culture in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz Performance came to USC in 1999 after four years at Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music.
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March 23, 2007
Larry Livingston conducts the Honor Orchestra of America: Larry Livingston recently traveled to Indiana to conduct the Honor Orchestra of America, eighty of the finest high-school musicians from around the country, and the concert received a fantastic review. "Having much experience working with young aspiring musicians, Livingston led the Honor group, which first came together as an ensemble on March 14 (a week ago!). . . Livingston and his young players regrettably upstaged the other evening highlight," noted the review.
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March 19, 2007
Jerry Del Colliano interviewed on CNN Radio: Jerry De